2018 was a year filled with dozens of amazing performances, and newcomers just happened to give some of them.
The world learned their names thanks to formidable portrayals they gave in big blockbusters and indie films alike and something tells us they’re here to stay. Let’s take a look at 10 rising stars who took Hollywood by storm this year.
Elsie Fisher
This newcomer won our hearts with one of the most vulnerable, honest and revealing performances in recent memory with her Golden Globe-nominated role in Eighth Grade.
Zazie Beetz
Atlanta put Beetz on the map, but Deadpool 2 showed us she’s not going anywhere but up.
Noah Centineo
2018 proved Netflix movies can turn relative unknowns into overnight sensations. The breakout star of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a case in point.
Letitia Wright
Black Panther featured several amazing performances, but we can all agree that Wright stole the show as brilliant and hilarious princess Shuri.
John David Washington
It was just a matter of time before John David Washington joined Hollywood’s elite, and the role in BlacKkKlansman finally got him over the line.
KiKi Layne
Regina King’s performance is everyone’s favorite part of If Beale Street Could Talk, but this film also gave us an amazing breakout star in KiKi Layne.
Cynthia Erivo
Erivo already has one Tony under her belt, but she became the talk of Tinseltown thanks to her starring roles in Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale.
Thomasin McKenzie
Leave No Trace is one of the most underrated films of 2018, and it’s a shame Thomasin McKenzie isn’t getting the same kind of recognition Jennifer Lawrence did while working with Debra Granik.
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Lady Gaga
It may seem strange to call Lady Gaga a “rising star”, but it would be even stranger to ignore her career-defining movie debut in A Star Is Born.
Awkwafina
Awkwafina was MVP and a breath of fresh air in every movie she appeared this year, including Ocean’s Eight and Crazy Rich Asians.
